I bought this Honda as a certified used vehicle with roughly 27k miles on it. Everything seemed to go well until after I started driving for a couple of days. I noticed that especially the day after the car is left parked on the street in colder weather, after D gear is engaged and transmission approaches its first shift point (from 1 to 2) at 1500-1750rpm, 2nd gear is engaged with a jerk and the car feels as if it lurched forward. Noticeable more when accelerating slowly, in New York City traffic, frequent shifting between 1st and 2nd gear becomes a nuisance (Honda Accord Manual does not indicate, whether performance of the transmission is affected by cold weather or whether transmission could misshift gears under certain conditions).
When the car is decelerating and transmission downshifts from a higher gear into 2nd a similar event occurs, there is slight jerk.
I also noticed that regardless of outside temperature or whether transmission is warmed up, when picking up speed or at moderate highway speed, 3rd (and sometimes 4th) gear is engaged with a sensation of pull and shift is always noticeable, occasionally there is a jerk as if some kind of mechanical friction prevented normal operation. On occasion when accelerating between city blocks through gears 1,2 and 3 with approximately 40-45mph and then decelerating - transmission would downshift with a jerk. Moreover, when cold, I've observed that the transmission would often make a whining (jet engine turbine like) noise on the 1st gear and then engage 2nd gear with a jerk. Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, I would expect the transmission to operate seamlessly unless subjected to pressures resulting from vigorous acceleration.
Since the car has 100k warranty for powertrain I tried fixing it at two dealerships but miraculously they can't seem to replicate the problem. The second dealer recommended a transmission fluid change, which improved the condition but did not eliminate it. The car has under 30k, it should not require a transmission fluid change. I also mailed Honda of America a letter with grievances. They told me the car had had a torque converter replaced before I purchased it, which seems suspicious to me. I was not told by the dealer that any repairs were made before purchase and Carfax report also did not detail any repairs. I will persist in trying to find the solution, even if it means legal proceedings.
I was about to trade the car for a Toyota but I would lose at least 5k, so I will keep it until warranty expires.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought this Honda as a certified used vehicle with roughly 27k miles on it. Everything seemed to go well until after I started driving for a couple of days. I noticed that especially the day after the car is left parked on the street in colder weather, after D gear is engaged and transmission approaches its first shift point (from 1 to 2) at 1500-1750rpm, 2nd gear is engaged with a jerk and the car feels as if it lurched forward. Noticeable more when accelerating slowly, in New York City traffic, frequent shifting between 1st and 2nd gear becomes a nuisance (Honda Accord Manual does not indicate, whether performance of the transmission is affected by cold weather or whether transmission could misshift gears under certain conditions).
When the car is decelerating and transmission downshifts from a higher gear into 2nd a similar event occurs, there is slight jerk.
I also noticed that regardless of outside temperature or whether transmission is warmed up, when picking up speed or at moderate highway speed, 3rd (and sometimes 4th) gear is engaged with a sensation of pull and shift is always noticeable, occasionally there is a jerk as if some kind of mechanical friction prevented normal operation. On occasion when accelerating between city blocks through gears 1,2 and 3 with approximately 40-45mph and then decelerating - transmission would downshift with a jerk. Moreover, when cold, I've observed that the transmission would often make a whining (jet engine turbine like) noise on the 1st gear and then engage 2nd gear with a jerk. Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, I would expect the transmission to operate seamlessly unless subjected to pressures resulting from vigorous acceleration.
Since the car has 100k warranty for powertrain I tried fixing it at two dealerships but miraculously they can't seem to replicate the problem. The second dealer recommended a transmission fluid change, which improved the condition but did not eliminate it. The car has under 30k, it should not require a transmission fluid change. I also mailed Honda of America a letter with grievances. They told me the car had had a torque converter replaced before I purchased it, which seems suspicious to me. I was not told by the dealer that any repairs were made before purchase and Carfax report also did not detail any repairs. I will persist in trying to find the solution, even if it means legal proceedings.
I was about to trade the car for a Toyota but I would lose at least 5k, so I will keep it until warranty expires.
This is my second and last Honda ever.
- Chris Z., Queens, NY, US